| Potent opponents will test Weakley County defenses |
By: Stephanie Sturgis - Press Sports Editor
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Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2008 3:22 pm
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One-on-one — Greenfield's Stephen Sawyers (right) moves in for an open field tackle on Dresden punt returner Brandon Pittman during Week 0 action. There will be plenty of chances to make tackles in the open field when both teams take on potent offenses.
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The saying goes that offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.
The stop squads of all three Weakley County high school football teams in action on Friday night will be severely tested when they take the field against some explosive offensive opponents in non-region play. All three games will kick off at 7:30.
The Westview Chargers (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-2A) will play host to the Henry County Patriots (3-0, 1-0 Region 7-4A) at Graham Stadium. WHS handed Henry County its only regular-season loss, 18-7, last season as the talented Patriots advanced all the way to the Class 4A semifinals.
The Greenfield Yellowjackets (2-1, 1-0 Region 7-A) will entertain the Halls Tigers (1-2, 0-1 Region 8-A) at Harris Field. The Tigers are averaging 22.3 points per game with a high of 32 in a win over Gleason.
The Dresden Lions (0-3, 0-1 Region 7-2A) will try to slow down the visiting Union City Tornadoes (1-1, 1-0 Region 7-A), led by quarterback Colton Speed, when action kicks off at Rotary Field in the county seat. Speed set several records in his team's high-scoring 55-41 win over Lake County last week.
The Gleason Bulldogs (0-3, 0-1 Region 7-A) have a week off before they tangle with Lake County on the road.
While Patriot running back Dominique Allen and quarterback/defensive back Marsalis Teague draw most of the headlines, Westview head coach Don Coady isn't overlooking the Henry County supporting cast.
"They've got some really talented players, but they've also got a lot of players you've never heard of that are talented athletes," the Westview head coach pointed out.
Coady's young team has been working hard in preparation for its highly touted opponent.
"You have to prepare to play well, prepare to play hard and force them to run a bunch of plays," Coady said.
The Chargers are also hoping to continue their strong play on special teams in 2008.
"Special teams can be an equalizer, although there's nothing wrong with Henry County's special teams," Coady said. "We've got to contain their speed, kick well and cover kicks well and get the ball back," Coady said.
In Greenfield, Jacket second-year head coach Jason Rodehaver is schooling his defensive line in how to stop the Tigers' quarterback, Craig Davis, as he runs Halls' spread offense.
"Their quarterback makes them go. He's a very impressive athlete. He can run and throw," Rodehaver noted. "We've been working on ID'ing screen passes and helping on getting out and covering them."
"It's a big boy's dream to rush the quarterback and we haven't had many opportunities to do it this year," the GHS coach said.
At Dresden, the Lions will have their hands full trying to slow UC's Speed. The Tornado QB scored six touchdowns and accounted for 428 all-purpose yards last week. Lion linebacking leaders Zach Jolley and Zach Garner will be busy.
Offensively, a touchdown for the Lions would provide a true emotional lift for the struggling DHS offense. Dresden twice squandered red zone chances in last week's loss to Peabody. |
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